Charge ahead: road taxes may be closer than they appear
A road user charge targeting electric vehicle drivers is gaining widespread approval but how it will work and when it will arrive remains up for debate.
auto trends
Plug-in hybrids speed up, EVs slow down in record month
Australian drivers have broken car sales records but some vehicle types are proving significantly more popular than others.
‘Not good enough’: electric vehicles fail range claims
Both electric and petrol-powered vehicles are failing to meet advertised promises, on-road tests reveal, which experts say is unacceptable.
Electric goes large: low-emission utes, vans get a show
Utes that can be plugged in and vans that run on batteries have gone on show in Australia for the first time, which experts say is proof the market has moved.
Surprise gas guzzlers identified in vehicle road tests
Several popular cars consume more petrol than their manufacturers promise, tests show, and hybrid vehicles are among some of the worst offenders.
China set to dominate Aussie vehicle import market
Almost half of new vehicles sold in Australia could be made in China within a decade, a study has found, as the nation moves to low-emission transport.
Power up: boost for roadside electric vehicle chargers
Electric vehicle drivers will be able to recharge in more places after a substantial infrastructure investment designed to generate wider adoption.
Utes dominate vehicles sales and push BYD past Tesla
Australia's love affair with the ute has dominated new vehicle sales during June, but one hybrid model has had an unusual impact on Australia's auto market.
Sparks fly over competition in electric car charging
Australian drivers need more access to electric car chargers, an inquiry has heard, but companies are split over who should be allowed to deliver them.
More EVs, fewer V8s: changes coming for Aussie drivers
Motorists can expect more electric and hybrid vehicles to launch and some petrol and diesel vehicles to reverse after transport regulations finally take off.
Back in the limelight, Audi aims to steal the show
When things went a bit quiet in the Audi empire this time last year, most observers agreed it was a sign of things to come. And boy, has it been worth the wait.
Hitting the brakes on EV, hybrid help could slow cuts
Removing tax breaks for plug-in hybrid vehicles is stalling their adoption, a group warns, and a lack of incentives could slow efforts to cut car emissions.
EV myths drive Aussies wrong way down electric avenue
One third of Australians believe misinformation circulating about electric vehicles, a study has found, with a conspiracy mindset most often to blame.
Australia’s big car love affair still fuelling sales
SUVs and utes have proven the big sellers on Australian car lots in May but the popularity of hybrid and electric vehicles is accelerating.
Record electric truck haul aims to drive down emissions
One of Australia's biggest transport companies will invest in a record-breaking electric truck fleet, including prime movers to be built in Brisbane.
Audi introduces new Aussie models to rev up sales
Whatever happened to Audi? Ask no more, as the slick German car maker gets a handful of new models to boost its Aussie sales.
Drivers could pay more tax after electric car U-turn
Australian drivers and employers could miss out on thousands of dollars in tax savings if the coalition puts the brakes on an electric vehicle policy.
Call for workplace change to drive electric car take-up
Fewer than one-in-three electric vehicle drivers can access a charger at work and incentives could get more people to go electric and drive to the office.
Sparks fly as Nissan powers ahead in hybrid revolution
It's a stalwart in the mid-sized SUV category and Nissan's latest innovation threatens to clean up the opposition with a unique hybrid drivetrain.
Some hybrid cars thirstier than their petrol peers
On-road vehicle tests show some hybrid vehicles are not saving as much petrol as lab tests promise and a two use more than standard cars on highways.
Car sales accelerate, with hybrids leading the charge
More drivers are getting behind the wheel of a new car but preferences are changing, with hybrids speeding up and petrol cars slowing down.
Will Tesla’s problems crash Australia’s electric dream?
The brand that has long led Australia's electric vehicle charge is falling out of favour. Can the nation's move to low-emission transport go on regardless?
U-turn on gas-guzzler fines could penalise motorists
Carmakers who fail to meet environmental standards will not be penalised under proposed changes expected during the election campaign.
Hitting the brakes: hybrid sales clouded by tax cut end
A tax concession for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles has come to the end of the road and experts say it could affect future car sales and emissions.
Mercedes goes back to the future with straight shooter
Who else thought big, beautiful machines such as this new Mercedes-Benz would go the way of the dinosaurs? Technology is fighting back, albeit for a few years.
Toyota gives its newest baby a chance to grow
It's drawn a fair share of criticism since it hit the market, but Toyota's baby C-HR hatchback has ironed out the bumps in its second-generation model.
Safety over politics: motoring groups call for change
Australia's peak motoring body will encourage its 9.5 million members to challenge federal election candidates on road safety, amid calls for more transparency.
Tesla Cybertruck named the hero of motor show comeback
It is large, futuristic and not ready to drive on Australian roads but Tesla's Cybertruck will be the centrepiece of the first Melbourne motor show in 15 years.
Aussie road rules are not ready for self-driving cars
Road rules will need to be changed before autonomous vehicles become more common, or lawsuits could follow.
Prado sheds sidekick act with designs on starring role
The Prado has been a trusty wingman for the big LandCruiser for more than 40 years, but that's changed after a stunning redesign - not that everybody is happy.
New vehicle sales stuck in slow lane, even popular SUVs
Hybrids are among few vehicles to withstand a continuing slowdown in new vehicles sales, with one model racing into the top ten.